Thoughts on the 2013 MKZ

[ctrcbob]

I can't remember where I read it, but I saw that the 2013 MKZ (and Ford Fusion) will have a choice of five power plants. One Plug-in Hybrid, one Regular Hybrid, and three gas engines. These three gas engines are as follows.

 

One 2.5 liter 4 cylinder.

One 2.0 liter 4 cylinder Ecoboost.

One 1.6 liter 4 cylinder Ecoboost.

 

I COULD BE WRONG ABOUT THE ABOVE FIVE, but NO V6!!!!!!!!! I don't like four cylinder engines because I can hear every power pulse of each cylinder. Mostly at idle. Can't stand it. I have a buddy with a five cylinder Volvo, and it sounds as smooth as my V6's or previous V8's. The 2013 MKZ "looks great" from the front view (grill) and the rear view (tail and stop lights), but the side view does nothing for me, and remindes me of a fastback car. I'll make a better judgement once I see one in person. Lincoln probably only wants the five above engines in order to meet goverment Cafe specs, to bring over all (Lincoln) mileage up to counter the lower mileage of the V6 MKS, MKT, MKX, etc.

 

Now I'm even happier that I got a "loaded" (7000 miles used) 2011 MKZ, both because I wanted the bullit proof 3.5 liter V6 and also because i wanted the 8" screen Sync offered for the year, not the MyLincolnTouch Sync that will be in the 2013. The Sync I have in both my cars, (almost identical to each other) is complicated enough, and even though I've owned my Taurus SHO for a year, I still have not mastered the Sync. Don't want the more complicated MyLincolnTouch of the 2013. (MyLincolnTouch was also offered in some of the highline MKX and MKT, and no matter what the SyncMyRide people say about it being "safer", IT IS NOT, plus it is even more complicated than before). Some Lincoln (and Ford) Dealers are now holding 3 hour classes to teach drivers how to use the MyLincolnTouch Sync. I just can't see how an older person who buys a Lincoln (yes, it is older people who buy Lincolns) then has to go to classes to learn how to use the MyLincolnTouch Sync. My Lincoln Dealer has one girl, whos only job is to teach customers how to use Sync, when they come in to Service, and can't figure out how to use it. She is a Service Writer, but only for Sync. This tells me that it is way too complicated for the average Lincoln driver. Ford says the MyLincolnTouch (MyFordTouch) is less dangerous because you don't have to take your hands or eyes off the road, but in MHO, it is more dangerous, because people forget the command to use, or still have to look at the screen to figure things out, etc, etc, etc. I was perfectly happy with the Disc Drive GPS (not Sync) in my 2007 MKZ, and although the Hard Drive Sync in my two cars is more advanced, I still believe it is much too complicated for the average driver to use, and the MyLincolnTouch even more-so.

[canuck]

As far as I know Lincoln has not yet announced the engine line-up for the 2013 MKZ. However I strongly suspect that the 3.5V6 will be included, at least as an option if not as the base engine. That would be an obvious way for Ford to further differentiate the MKZ from the Fusion, something it has to do to be successful in the long run with the MKZ.

[drolds1]

I can't remember where I read it, but I saw that the 2013 MKZ (and Ford Fusion) will have a choice of five power plants. One Plug-in Hybrid, one Regular Hybrid, and three gas engines. These three gas engines are as follows.

 

One 2.5 liter 4 cylinder.

One 2.0 liter 4 cylinder Ecoboost.

One 1.6 liter 4 cylinder Ecoboost.

 

I COULD BE WRONG ABOUT THE ABOVE FIVE, but NO V6!!!!!!!!! I don't like four cylinder engines because I can hear every power pulse of each cylinder. Mostly at idle. Can't stand it.

 

Canuck is correct on both counts. Lincoln hasn't announced the engine lineup for the MKZ yet. Whatever you read applies to the Fusion only. However, the 2013 MKZ will offer a V6 and you'll be quite surprised as to which one it is. Lincoln has made it quite clear that they intend to offer exclusive powertrains.

 

BTW, I think you're confusing SYNC and MF/LT.

[jebaril]

I can't remember where I read it, but I saw that the 2013 MKZ (and Ford Fusion) will have a choice of five power plants. One Plug-in Hybrid, one Regular Hybrid, and three gas engines. These three gas engines are as follows.

 

One 2.5 liter 4 cylinder.

One 2.0 liter 4 cylinder Ecoboost.

One 1.6 liter 4 cylinder Ecoboost.

 

I COULD BE WRONG ABOUT THE ABOVE FIVE, but NO V6!!!!!!!!! I don't like four cylinder engines because I can hear every power pulse of each cylinder. Mostly at idle. Can't stand it. I have a buddy with a five cylinder Volvo, and it sounds as smooth as my V6's or previous V8's. The 2013 MKZ "looks great" from the front view (grill) and the rear view (tail and stop lights), but the side view does nothing for me, and remindes me of a fastback car. I'll make a better judgement once I see one in person. Lincoln probably only wants the five above engines in order to meet goverment Cafe specs, to bring over all (Lincoln) mileage up to counter the lower mileage of the V6 MKS, MKT, MKX, etc.

 

Now I'm even happier that I got a "loaded" (7000 miles used) 2011 MKZ, both because I wanted the bullit proof 3.5 liter V6 and also because i wanted the 8" screen Sync offered for the year, not the MyLincolnTouch Sync that will be in the 2013. The Sync I have in both my cars, (almost identical to each other) is complicated enough, and even though I've owned my Taurus SHO for a year, I still have not mastered the Sync. Don't want the more complicated MyLincolnTouch of the 2013. (MyLincolnTouch was also offered in some of the highline MKX and MKT, and no matter what the SyncMyRide people say about it being "safer", IT IS NOT, plus it is even more complicated than before). Some Lincoln (and Ford) Dealers are now holding 3 hour classes to teach drivers how to use the MyLincolnTouch Sync. I just can't see how an older person who buys a Lincoln (yes, it is older people who buy Lincolns) then has to go to classes to learn how to use the MyLincolnTouch Sync. My Lincoln Dealer has one girl, whos only job is to teach customers how to use Sync, when they come in to Service, and can't figure out how to use it. She is a Service Writer, but only for Sync. This tells me that it is way too complicated for the average Lincoln driver. Ford says the MyLincolnTouch (MyFordTouch) is less dangerous because you don't have to take your hands or eyes off the road, but in MHO, it is more dangerous, because people forget the command to use, or still have to look at the screen to figure things out, etc, etc, etc. I was perfectly happy with the Disc Drive GPS (not Sync) in my 2007 MKZ, and although the Hard Drive Sync in my two cars is more advanced, I still believe it is much too complicated for the average driver to use, and the MyLincolnTouch even more-so.

How do you know so much about the "average" driver and the "average" Lincoln owner? It sounds to me like you ought to bite the bullet and take the class. Then you can be not only an "above-average" Lincoln owner but also one who can safely use all of the features on his car--better for the rest of us. The female service writer (probably not a girl, given our child labor laws) sounds like the one to ask for help. You might enjoy the experience. Because you know what they say: if you can't change your mind, are you sure you still have one? That's my motto, anyway. :happy feet:

 

I'm glad Lincoln is making cars for younger people too, frankly, and trying to change your image of Lincoln. Cadillac seems to have done the same thing. But I also have close friends who are 78 and 80 and they have all the latest gizmos and iPads, and they really embrace the latest technologies, even the touch screens and Comands and I-Drives and such. Much more so than do I. So it can be done! :dogwalk:

[ctrcbob]

2013 MKZ - Likes and dislikes.

 

I like that they offer the 3.7 V6 plus a 2.0 Ecoboost 4, plus a 2.0 Hybrid.

 

Love the front end Grill and also the rear tail/stop lamps.

 

If there was only a little more of a notch in the rear roof line, I would love the rear end even more. From the photos, the trunk opening does not look large, or to put it better, looks like it will not be easy to place luggage in that trunk. I.E. I hate that slanting rear roof line.

 

Saw the panoramic roof open, and I hate it. HATE IT. (just MHO). As some of you may have noted, I am not a fan of "My Touch".

Regular SYNC is complicated enough and My Touch Sync is even more so.

 

I have to see it in person.

[II kings 9:20]

Here is what is being reported:

This MKZ will debut with three drivetrain options: 2.0-liter, 240-hp, EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder that mates to a six-speed automatic with a paddle-shift manual mode; a 3.7-liter, 300-hp, naturally aspirated V-6, which buttons to the same transmission; and a hybrid model with a gas I-4, electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack.

The turbo-four and V-6 can be had with front- or all-wheel drive. The hybrid is front-drive only.

It's no secret that Lincoln has long been an also-ran in the luxury segment, lagging behind not only import luxury brands but, also, getting its lunch handed to it by Detroit rival Cadillac. In fact, it's gotten so bad there was even scuttlebutt that Ford might euthanize the brand, as it did with Mercury.

Ain't gonna happen, said Jim Farley, Ford vice president of global marketing.

"The new Lincoln MKZ represents the future of Lincoln in both style and substance," Farley said. "It is proof of our commitment to deliver a new breed of Lincolns for a new generation of Lincoln clients — motor cars that are distinctive, elegant, full of technology and a delight to own."

Look for the new MKZ to arrive later this year. No prices yet, but a base price in the low 40s is a pretty good guess.

 

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/classifieds/transportation/reviews/lincoln-mkz-high-style-midsize-sedan-is-proof-of-ford/article_53849de7-ff2f-592f-ac4d-f01f7a9b216c.html#ixzz1ySEqmwzR

[II kings 9:20]

Not happy with the low $40s base- was hoping for a few grand above the current $34.5 base.